By: KALD | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The National Identification Authority (NIA) is set to commence the Mass registration and issuance of the Ghana Card in the Volta region from Monday, July 22 to Thursday, August 22, 2019.
The exercise, which will take place in 350 registration centres across all 18 districts of the region, would capture biometric data of eligible Ghanaians, aged 15 years and above into national identification system.
In exception of Sundays, the process will off every of the week between 8am and 5pm.
Prof. Ken Attafuah, Executive Secretary of NIA at press briefing in Ho on Tuesday, said the authority has put in place measures to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise, mindful of the challenges encountered during the pilot and first regional registration exercises in the Greater Accra Region.
According to him, the NIA would deploy all its 1050 registration equipment in the region to reduce pressure and long queues at the registration centres.
Regarding the requirement for registration, Prof. Attafuah said an eligible applicant must have either a Birth Certificate, a valid Passport or a valid certificate of Acquired Citizenship, as prove of their Ghanaian citizenship to register for the Ghana card.
In the absence of those however, an applicant could fall on two already registered persons, who would vouch for their citizenship to go through the process, he stated.
The NIA boss also added, the Ghana Post digital address of applicants’ residence was also a mandatory requirement for registration; whiles he entreated applicants to bring along their other statutory I.D cards, (i.e. Voter’s, SSNIT, NHIS, Driver’s Licence, etc) for them to be harmonized with the NIA database and captured on the dual interfaced Ghana card.
He cautioned applicants against paying their way through the process and stated anyone individual or NIA officials caught in any such illegal acts would be dealt with according to the law.
“You are not to pay or give money to any of our officials before, during or after the registration process. It will be considered as a bribe and that is criminal. Please do not hesitate to report any of our officials engaging in any act of corruption to the police.”
Prof. Attafuah also entreated all stakeholders to police the registration process and ensure only eligible Ghanaians participate in the exercise.
“Any foreigner who attempts to register for the Ghana Card violates the laws of Ghana and will, upon arrest, be dealt with in accordance with law,” he stated, adding that, “a separate arrangement exists for eligible foreigners to register under the Foreigners Identity Management System (FIMS) Project and to be issued with the Non-Citizen Identity Card.”
Meanwhile, the NIA has begun the training of temporary staff for the Mass registration exercise, following a recruitment exercise carried out last week across the 18 districts.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com